D&D 5E New D&D WotC survey! On classes.

[R_J_K75]

Man, I would so change the way the spell section is done:

I get it, the rules are flawed, just present them better,

 

[Bolares]

Because people use it. Why? Because fun. People seem to love the idea of insulting something to death.

Maybe I wasn't clear, I get why people use it. I just don't get why so many people here use the cantrip as a reason to dislike the bard... it's just a cantrip. To me it's like hating on the wizrd because of blade ward or something like that.

 

[Maxperson]

Maybe I wasn't clear, I get why people use it. I just don't get why so many people here use the cantrip as a reason to dislike the bard... it's just a cantrip. To me it's like hating on the wizrd because of blade ward or something like that.

Ahh. As I've said, I've never liked the concept of singing to do stuff. I'd love a bard that just tells stories and collects lore, but the mechanics make it difficult to do. You have to change almost every ability in some way and modify a lot of the lore, figure out what to give instead of three instruments, etc. It's too much of a hassle for me, so I just default to anti-bard. The cantrip just makes it a bit worse for me this edition.

 

[Bolares]

Ahh. As I've said, I've never liked the concept of singing to do stuff. I'd love a bard that just tells stories and collects lore, but the mechanics make it difficult to do. You have to change almost every ability in some way and modify a lot of the lore, figure out what to give instead of three instruments, etc. It's too much of a hassle for me, so I just default to anti-bard. The cantrip just makes it a bit worse for me this edition.

I like you storyteller concept. I'd try to reskin the bard to be telling the story (and slightly changing reality) while it's happening. Vicious Mockery becomes the anecdote about how the enemy flubbered his next action, or something like that.

 

[Zaukrie]

I do agree that there should be a bard that isn't musical at all... poets don't sing. Story tellers don't sing.

 

[Neonchameleon]

My beef with bard is that I simply don't have a name for an iconic "bard" in my fantasy.

Merlin.

If you want one from Tolkien then Luthien Tinuviel was definitely one. I could easily argue Galadriel

The Witcher has Dandelion/Jaskier/Buttercup

From mythology I can make a good case for Odysseus as being more bard than fighter or even rogue. And various deities starting with Odin and Zeus, both of who had a habit of turning up on peoples' doorsteps as wanderers and weaving stories while checking they were filling their duties as hosts. Also Loki of course - magic, charisma based trickery, and illusions.

 

[Bolares]

I do agree that there should be a bard that isn't musical at all... poets don't sing. Story tellers don't sing.

I think they should handle bards more like they handle artificers. Artificers are not just tinkerers, they weave magic trhough artisan tools. The flavor of your character depends on the flavor of tools you are using. Bards could use a similar treatment. Using musical instruments, writing utensils, paints, to weave their magic.

 

[Blue]

Music is mathematics given soul. How people don't see that as an expression of magic is beyond me. While "oh, my great grandpoppy had relations with a dragon" is never even questioned.

 

[Mind of tempest]

Music is mathematics given soul. How people don't see that as an expression of magic is beyond me. While "oh, my great grandpoppy had relations with a dragon" is never even questioned.

I see neither as particularly magic to begin with?

 

[CleverNickName]

All of my experiences with having a bard in the party (witnessed as both a fellow player and the DM) can be summed up in the following meme: